Soldiers discover dream job at Army Trials

By Chanel S. Weaver, U.S. Army Public Health CommandMarch 27, 2015

squad leaders
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. Garfield Harriott and Staff Sgt. Timothy Adams, Jr., squad leaders, discuss the progress of athletes at the 2015 Army Trials. Approximately 80 wounded, ill and injured Soldiers and Veterans are at Fort Bliss to train and compete in a seri... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Harriott
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. Garfield Harriott, a squad leader from Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, prepares to throw volleyball during the Army Trials at Fort Bliss, Texas. Approximately 80 wounded, ill and injured Soldiers and Veterans are at Fort Bliss to train and c... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

With all of the demands placed on Soldiers these days, it is often hard to find one with a little spare time.

Staff Sgt. Garfield Harriott, however, somehow manages to find the balance between his duties as an Army non-commissioned officer and his desire to volunteer in the local community.

When he is not leading junior Soldiers in the Army, he works in his local church's hospitality ministry, serves as a youth basketball coach and often mentors young people in his neighborhood.

"I think it is important to give back and take time to invest in the welfare of others," said Harriott, who is currently stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

So when an offer came to serve as a squad leader for the 2015 Army Trials, Harriott quickly volunteered for the assignment.

Approximately 80 wounded, ill or injured Soldiers and Veterans are at Fort Bliss to train and compete in a series of competitive athletic events including archery, cycling, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field and wheelchair basketball. Army Trials competition, March 29 -- April 2, is conducted by the Army Warrior Transition Command and hosted by Fort Bliss. Army Trials help determine who will get a spot on the Department of Defense Warrior Games 2015 Army Team in June at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia.

"I've always been a person who liked to help people," said Harriott. "Serving as a squad leader for the athletes at the Army Trials was a dream job for me, because I could continue my tradition of giving back. I love being around Soldiers, interacting with them and helping them."

As a squad leader for the Army Trials, Harriott is responsible for assisting Soldiers with their day-to-day activities and helping them through their therapy and recovery process. A veteran of three combat deployments, Harriott said that he is really inspired by the athletes who compete at the Army Trials.

"Many of these athletes have suffered serious injuries and are battling complex diseases, yet they have this drive to overcome obstacles and not be limited by their disabilities," said Harriott.

He described the case of one Soldier who suffered gunshot wounds while deployed, yet he is making a full recovery.

"I learn from the athletes, and I enjoy sharing their stories with others," said Harriott. "If one Soldier can make a full recovery, I let others know they can do it, too."

Like Harriott, Staff Sgt. Timothy Adams, Jr., another squad leader for the Army Trials from Fort Gordon, Georgia, finds inspiration in helping the athletes throughout their recovery.

He knows firsthand that a Soldier can return to duty, even after a debilitating injury. He has been deployed to a combat zone six times, and was injured himself by shrapnel when an improvised explosive device was deployed while he was on a convoy mission in Afghanistan.

In spite of his injuries, Adams has returned to active duty, and works to inspire the other Army athletes at the competition.

"You have to push yourself," said Adams. "You have to be resilient."

Adams said that recovering from an injury is not a solo act, but requires the cooperation of a network of people who share the common goal of helping the individual bounce back from adversity.

He credited a strong, close-knit family with helping him to persevere through difficult moments.

"My parents encouraged me to continue my career in the Army," said Adams. "They let me know that they were proud of me, and delighted that I chose a career that allowed me to serve my country."

While squad leaders have a duty to help their wounded, ill or injured Soldiers make a full recovery, they say it is really the athletes at the Army Trials who have a lesson to teach.

"Some Soldiers have lost limbs, others have lost eyesight and others have some emotional scars, yet these individuals are fierce competitors in the various sports," said Adams. "When you're around them, you just can't complain."

Related Links:

Army Warrior Transition Command

Arny Trials DVIDS page

Warrior Transition Command Facebook page